Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 07-03-2018

South Africa’s biggest public sector trade union the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehaw) has advised residents to start saving water as about three thousand of its members embark on an indefinite strike.

The protest action at the Department of Water and Sanitation’s 53 offices across the country tomorrow comes after negotiations collapsed at the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council.

The union held a media briefing today saying the strike was over corruption‚ maladministration and unfavourable working conditions.

Nehawu’s demands include that the department cease using contractors in its projects since they are allegedly the gateway to “corruption and looting”.

Nehawu’s Khaya Xaba says there will be an interruption in water supplies as the department did not provide a contingency plan or skeleton staff to prepare

“We are advising communities to start saving water as from today, because they might not have water tomorrow. Our strike is not meant to punish the communities but is meant to twist the arm of the employer to concede to our demands.”

Xabsa says 90% of its members are non-essential workers and will therefore join the strike.

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143